ACRONIS True Image Server 9.1 Server for Linux User manual

Category
Software
Type
User manual
User’s Guide
Acronis
®
True Image 9.1
Server for Linux
2
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
Acronis True Image Server for Linux. All rights reserved.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and copyrights referred to are the property of their respective owners.
Distribution of substantively modified versions of this document is prohibited without the
explicit permission of the copyright holder.
Distribution of this work or derivative work in any standard (paper) book form for
commercial purposes is prohibited unless prior permission is obtained from the copyright
holder.
DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED «AS IS» AND ALL EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS,
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE
DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE
LEGALLY INVALID.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
3
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
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YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT THE PRODUCT UNDER THESE TERMS, YOU MAY CHOOSE NOT TO
ACCEPT BY SELECTING "I decline..." AND NOT INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE.
The Acronis
® True Image Server for Linux (the Software) is Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007. All
rights are reserved. The ORIGINAL PURCHASER is granted a LICENSE to use the software only,
subject to the following restrictions and limitations.
1. The license is to the original purchaser only, and is not transferable without prior written
permission from Acronis.
2. The original purchaser may use the software on a single computer owned or leased by the
original purchaser. You may not use the software on more than a single machine, even if you
own or lease all of them, without the written consent of Acronis.
3. The original purchaser may not engage in, nor permit third parties to engage in, any of the
following:
A. Providing or permitting use of or disclosing the software to third parties.
B. Providing use of the software in a computer service business, network, timesharing or multiple-
user arrangement to users who are not individually licensed by Acronis.
C. Making alterations or copies of any kind in the software (except as specifically permitted above).
D. Attempting to un-assemble, de-compile or reverse engineer the software in any way.
E. Granting sublicenses, leases or other rights in the software to others.
F. Making copies or verbal or media translations of the users guide.
G. Making telecommunication data transmission of the software.
Acronis has the right to terminate this license if there is a violation of its terms or default by the
original purchaser. Upon termination for any reason, all copies of the software must be immediately
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suffered as a result of the violation or default.
ENTIRE RISK
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU THE
PURCHASER. ACRONIS DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE OR ITS FUNCTIONS WILL MEET
YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR
ERROR FREE OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED. NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES - IN NO EVENT SHALL ACRONIS OR ITS VENDORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR THE LOSS OF BUSINESS
PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER
PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF
ACRONIS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
SOFTWARE USAGE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Under current legislation, the «License Agreement» is considered a contract between you and Acronis
Inc. The contract is a legal document and its violation may result in legal action.
Illegal use and/or distribution of this software will be prosecuted.
Contents
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 7
1.1 ACRONIS® TRUE IMAGE SERVER FOR LINUX A COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR CORPORATE USERS ..................................... 7
1.2 FEATURES OF ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER FOR LINUX............................................................................................. 8
1.3 TECHNICAL SUPPORT ................................................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 2. INSTALLATION AND OPERATION ............................................................................. 10
2.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................................................................. 10
2.2 INSTALLING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER FOR LINUX ............................................................................................. 10
2.3 RUNNING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER FOR LINUX.................................................................................................11
2.4 REMOVING THE PROGRAM.......................................................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 3. GENERAL INFORMATION AND PROPRIETARY ACRONIS TECHNOLOGIES............... 12
3.1 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FILE ARCHIVES AND DISK/PARTITION IMAGES.................................................................... 12
3.2 FULL, INCREMENTAL AND DIFFERENTIAL BACKUPS..................................................................................................... 12
3.3 ACRONIS SECURE ZONE............................................................................................................................................. 13
3.4 ACRONIS STARTUP RECOVERY MANAGER .................................................................................................................. 14
3.4.1 How it works ................................................................................................................................... 14
3.4.2 How to use....................................................................................................................................... 14
3.5 WORKING FROM A RESCUE CD................................................................................................................................... 14
3.6 WORKING FROM A REMOTE TERMINAL ....................................................................................................................... 15
3.7 BACKING UP SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE RAID ARRAYS ........................................................................................... 15
3.8 SUPPORT FOR LVM VOLUMES.................................................................................................................................... 15
3.9 BACKING UP TO TAPE DRIVE....................................................................................................................................... 17
CHAPTER 4. MAIN PROGRAM INTERFACE UNDER X WINDOW SYSTEM ...................................... 18
CHAPTER 5. CREATING BACKUP ARCHIVES UNDER X WINDOW SYSTEM ................................... 21
5.1 BACKING UP FILES AND FOLDERS (FILE BACKUP) ........................................................................................................ 21
5.2 BACKING UP DISKS AND PARTITIONS (IMAGE BACKUP)................................................................................................ 25
5.3 SETTING BACKUP OPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 29
5.3.1 Archive protection........................................................................................................................... 29
5.3.2 Source files exclusion...................................................................................................................... 29
5.3.3 Pre/post commands.......................................................................................................................... 30
5.3.4 Before/after data capture commands............................................................................................... 30
5.3.5 Compression level........................................................................................................................... 31
5.3.6 Backup performance........................................................................................................................ 31
5.3.7 Fast incremental/differential backup ............................................................................................... 32
5.3.8 Archive splitting.............................................................................................................................. 32
5.3.9 Media components........................................................................................................................... 33
5.3.10 Additional settings....................................................................................................................... 33
CHAPTER 6. RESTORING THE BACKUP DATA UNDER X WINDOW SYSTEM.................................. 35
6.1 NETWORK SETTINGS IN RESCUE MODE ........................................................................................................................ 35
6.2 RESTORING FILES AND FOLDERS FROM FILE ARCHIVES ................................................................................................ 35
6.3 RESTORING DISKS/PARTITIONS OR FILES FROM IMAGES ............................................................................................... 40
6.3.1 Starting the Restore Data Wizard.................................................................................................... 40
6.3.2 Archive selection............................................................................................................................. 40
6.3.3 Restoration type selection................................................................................................................ 41
6.3.4 Selecting a disk/partition to restore ................................................................................................. 41
6.3.5 Selecting a target disk/partition....................................................................................................... 42
6.3.6 Changing the restored partition type................................................................................................ 43
6.3.7 Changing the restored partition file system.....................................................................................43
6.3.8 Changing the restored partition size and location............................................................................ 44
6.3.9 Restoring several partitions at once................................................................................................. 45
6.3.10 Setting restore options.................................................................................................................. 45
6.3.11 Restoration summary and executing restoration.......................................................................... 45
6.4 RESTORING DATA WITH A RESCUE CD........................................................................................................................ 46
Contents
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6.5 SETTING RESTORE OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 47
6.5.1 Files to restore exclusion................................................................................................................. 48
6.5.2 Files overwriting mode.................................................................................................................... 48
6.5.3 Pre/post commands.......................................................................................................................... 48
6.5.4 Restoration priority.......................................................................................................................... 49
6.5.5 File-level security settings............................................................................................................... 49
6.5.6 Additional settings........................................................................................................................... 49
CHAPTER 7. SCHEDULING TASKS ................................................................................................. 50
7.1 CREATING SCHEDULED TASKS .................................................................................................................................... 50
7.1.1 Setting up daily execution ............................................................................................................... 52
7.1.2 Setting up weekly execution............................................................................................................ 52
7.1.3 Setting up monthly execution.......................................................................................................... 53
7.1.4 Setting up one-time execution......................................................................................................... 54
7.2 MANAGING SCHEDULED TASKS .................................................................................................................................. 54
CHAPTER 8. MANAGING ACRONIS SECURE ZONE........................................................................ 55
8.1 CREATING ACRONIS SECURE ZONE ............................................................................................................................55
8.1.1 Activating and deactivating Acronis Startup Recovery Manager.................................................... 57
8.2 RESIZING ACRONIS SECURE ZONE.............................................................................................................................. 57
8.3 DELETING ACRONIS SECURE ZONE ............................................................................................................................ 58
CHAPTER 9. MOUNTING PARTITION IMAGES .............................................................................. 59
9.1 MOUNTING AN IMAGE ................................................................................................................................................ 59
9.2 UNMOUNTING AN IMAGE............................................................................................................................................ 61
CHAPTER 10. CREATING BOOTABLE MEDIA................................................................................... 62
CHAPTER 11. CONSOLE MODE........................................................................................................ 64
11.1 BACKUP, RESTORE AND OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE CONSOLE MODE (TRUEIMAGECMD)........................................... 64
11.1.1 Supported commands................................................................................................................... 64
11.1.2 Common options (options common for most trueimagecmd commands).................................... 65
11.1.3 Specific options (options specific for individual trueimagecmd commands) .............................. 67
11.1.4 Trueimagecmd usage examples ................................................................................................... 70
11.2 AUTOMATIC IMAGE CREATION USING CRON SERVICE .............................................................................................. 70
11.3 RESTORING FILES WITH TRUEIMAGEMNT ................................................................................................................ 71
11.3.1 Supported commands................................................................................................................... 71
11.3.2 Trueimagemnt usage examples.................................................................................................... 73
CHAPTER 12. OTHER OPERATIONS ................................................................................................ 74
12.1 VALIDATING BACKUP ARCHIVES............................................................................................................................. 74
12.2 OPERATION RESULTS NOTIFICATION ....................................................................................................................... 74
12.2.1 Email notification......................................................................................................................... 75
12.2.2 WinPopup notification................................................................................................................. 75
12.3 VIEWING LOGS....................................................................................................................................................... 76
CHAPTER 13. TRANSFERRING THE SYSTEM TO A NEW DISK......................................................... 78
13.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................ 78
13.2 SECURITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 79
13.3 EXECUTING TRANSFERS ......................................................................................................................................... 79
13.3.1 Selecting transfer mode................................................................................................................ 79
13.3.2 Selecting the source disk.............................................................................................................. 79
13.3.3 Selecting the destination disk....................................................................................................... 80
13.3.4 Partitioned destination disk.......................................................................................................... 81
13.3.5 Old and new disk partition layout................................................................................................ 81
13.3.6 Old disk data ................................................................................................................................ 82
13.3.7 Destroying the old disk data......................................................................................................... 82
13.3.8 Selecting partition transfer method.............................................................................................. 83
13.3.9 Partitioning the old disk............................................................................................................... 84
13.3.10 Old and new disk partition layouts............................................................................................... 84
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
13.3.11 Cloning script............................................................................................................................... 84
13.4 CLONING WITH MANUAL PARTITIONING.................................................................................................................. 85
13.4.1 Old and new disk partition layouts............................................................................................... 85
CHAPTER 14. ADDING A NEW HARD DISK ..................................................................................... 86
14.1 SELECTING A HARD DISK ........................................................................................................................................ 86
14.2 CREATING A NEW PARTITION.................................................................................................................................. 86
14.3 DISK ADDING SCRIPT.............................................................................................................................................. 87
Introduction
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
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Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1 Acronis® True Image Server for Linux– a complete solution for
corporate users
You have come to rely on your servers to run your business and retain key enterprise data.
Acronis True Image Server for Linux provides comprehensive, reliable, and cost-effective
system protection and recovery for corporate servers, running Linux. With Acronis True
Image Server for Linux you have peace of mind knowing you are protected and can recover
from any situation.
Minimizes downtime
Acronis True Image Server for Linux enables you to restore systems in minutes, not hours or
days. An entire system can be restored from an image that includes everything the system
needs to run: the operating system, applications, databases, and configurations. No
reinstallation or reconfiguration is required. Moreover, complete system restoration can be
performed to an existing system or to a new system with different hardware or to virtual
machines. File-based backups provide you with the flexibility to only backup selected critical
files.
Eases Administration
Wizards guide users through backup and recovery tasks, ensuring the product can be
implemented with minimal user training.
Automates Backup
With the scheduling capability in Acronis True Image Server for Linux, you simply create
backup tasks, tailored by group, at certain times or at certain events, automating backups.
To ensure that backups have occurred, or user intervention is required, you can request
notifications via email or pop-up. You can view events in Acronis own log.
The product also supports the creation of custom commands before and after backups. For
example, users can automatically run anti-virus products before an image is created and
verify the validity of backups after they have been created.
Ensures 24 X 7 Uptime
With the Acronis Drive Snapshot systems can be imaged while they are in use, supporting 24
by 7 availability. This technology enables the product to backup and image critical operating
system files, the master boot record and any partition-based boot records without requiring
a reboot. A CPU allocation feature allows you to limit the amount of CPU usage for the
application to maximize the CPUs available for mission critical applications. Moreover, users
can control hard disk drive writing speeds and control network bandwidth used during
backups, allowing you minimally disrupt business operations.
Introduction
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
For correct backup of mission critical databases, Acronis True Image Server for Linux will
execute your custom commands, that suspend and resume database processing, before and
after data capture.
Supports Cutting Edge Technology
Businesses today are moving to leverage the latest technologies, dual-core 64 bit processors
and 64 bit operating systems. With Acronis True Image Server for Linux, you can protect
these new machines, as well as legacy ones, running one solution.
Leverages Existing Technology Investments
The product can leverage your current storage infrastructure by supporting a wide variety of
storage media, so you can avoid costly hardware purchases to implement the solution. The
product supports key storage technologies such as: Direct Attached Storage (DAS), Network
Attached Storage (NAS), Storage Area Networks (SAN), Redundant Arrays of Independent
Disks (RAID) devices, tapes, USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire) compliant storage devices, CDs,
removable drives (Floppy, Zip, etc.) and shared storage. Moreover, the product ensures that
you maximize the space on these resources with four levels of compression.
Disk cloning and new disk deployment
Acronis True Image Server for Linux can be used to clone an image onto multiple servers.
For example, a company purchased several servers and needs similar environments on each
of them. Traditionally, an IT manager should install the operating system and programs on
every server. With Acronis True Image Server for Linux, the IT manager can create a disk
image of the first system deployed. That image can then be duplicated onto multiple
servers.
If you need to upgrade the server hard disk drive, Acronis True Image Server for Linux
simplifies the task to few mouse clicks creating the exact copy of your old disk to a new one
and adjusting partitions size to fit a new hard disk.
1.2 Features of Acronis True Image Server for Linux
Image creation without system shutdown
Acronis True Image Server for Linux images only the sectors that contain data, so images
are created in just a few minutes
Support for a wide variety of IDE, SCSI, USB, FireWire, and PC Card (formerly PCMCIA)
storage media. CD-R/RW and tape drives are supported as well (except for console mode)
Support for all hard disks, regardless of capacity
Support for all Linux and Windows file systems, including Linux Ext2/Ext3, ReiserFS, JFS,
XFS, Linux Swap, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS; sector-based support for other file systems. JFS and
XFS are supported without resize while restore
Backup and restore software RAIDs (md devices) both on running system and from rescue
CD
Full and incremental backups
Scheduled and periodical image creation using
cron jobs
utility
Introduction
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9
Restore of individual files and directories (by mounting image archives as if they were kernel
space block devices)
Transparent NFS and Samba network drives access (in X Window mode NFS and Samba
appear among available devices, in console mode a path to the network drive may be
specified)
OS-independent operation of Acronis True Image Server for Linux from the bootable CD,
including restore over NFS or Samba Network
Comprehensive wizards simplify even the most complex operations
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Control of data compression level, image volume splitting and password protection
The ability to change a partition type, file system, size and location during recovery or disk
cloning
The ability to clone a disk drive so that multiple systems will have the exact same base disk
drive configuration and software
The ability to migrate data from one drive to another
NEW IN Acronis True Image 9.1 Server for Linux
File-based backups with exclude files feature
Differential backups
Scheduling backups in X Window environment
Acronis Secure Zone and Startup Recovery manager
Backup to/restore from FTP servers
Bootable media builder
x86_64-bit processors support
CPU/Network Bandwidth/Disk Write speed throttling
Default backup/restore options
Mounting images in X Window environment in Read-Only or R/W mode
Bootable images on CD
Notifications (e-mail, Winpopup)
Viewing logs
Context Help
1.3 Technical support
Users of legally purchased copies of Acronis True Image Server for Linux are entitled to free
technical support from Acronis. If you experience problems installing or using Acronis
products that you can’t solve yourself by using this guide, then please contact Acronis
Technical Support.
For more information visit
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/support/.
Installation and operation
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
Chapter 2. Installation and operation
2.1 System requirements
Acronis True Image Server for Linux requires the following hard-/software:
Pentium or compatible PC
256 MB RAM
CD-RW drive for rescue CD creating
Mouse (recommended)
Linux 2.4.18 or later kernel (including 2.6.x kernels).
SuSE 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, RedHat 9.0, Advanced Server 2.1, Advanced
Server 3.0, Advanced Server 4.0, Fedora Core 1, Fedora Core 2, Fedora Core 3, Fedora
Core 4, Enterprise Server 3.0, Mandrake 8.0, 9.2, 10.0, 10.1, Slackware 10, Debian
stable and unstable (sarge), ASPLinux 9.2, ASPLinux 10, ASPLinux 11, ASPLinux Server
II, ASPLinux Server IV, Virtuozzo 2.6.x, Gentoo, UnitedLinux 1.0, Ubuntu 4.10,
TurboLinux 8.0, TurboLinux 10.0 and some others Linux distributions are supported.
To obtain the up-to-date information about distributions, supported by your copy of Acronis
True Image Server for Linux, see readme.txt file supplied with the program.
2.2 Installing Acronis True Image Server for Linux
To install Acronis True Image Server for Linux:
Assign to the setup file the attribute Executable
Run the setup process
Follow setup program instructions.
If the setup could not compile the necessary module for your Linux distribution, please refer
to the file HOWTO.INSTALL:
/usr/lib/Acronis/TrueImageServer/HOWTO.INSTALL
You can choose to install, besides Acronis True Image Server for Linux, Rescue Media
Builder tool.
With Rescue Media Builder you can create bootable rescue disks or their ISO images (see
details in
Chapter 10 Creating bootable media
). You might not need this tool if you
purchased a boxed product that contains a bootable CD. Installing the Rescue Media Builder
will allow you to create bootable media or its ISO image at any time running Rescue Media
Builder on its own.
Installation and operation
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
11
2.3 Running Acronis True Image Server for Linux
To run the program under the X Window System interface, use the trueimage command
or select Acronis True Image Server for Linux from the system tools menu.
To work in the console mode, use trueimagecmd and trueimagemnt tools, described
in
Chapter 11
. See also man trueimagecmd or man trueimagemnt.
2.4 Removing the program
To remove Acronis True Image Server for Linux, do the following:
1. Issue the following commands:
# cd /usr/lib/Acronis/TrueImageServer/uninstall/
# ./uninstall
2. Remove the sources of the SnapAPI module:
# rm -rf /usr/src/snapapi*
General information and proprietary Acronis technologies
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
Chapter 3. General information and
proprietary Acronis technologies
3.1 The difference between file archives and disk/partition images
A backup archive is a file or a group of files (also called in this Guide “backups”), that
contains a copy of selected files/folders data or a copy of all information stored on selected
disks/partitions.
When you back up files and folders, only the data, along with the folder tree, is compressed
and stored.
Backing up disks and partitions is performed in a different way: Acronis True Image Server
for Linux stores a sector-by-sector snapshot of the disk, which includes the operating
system, drivers, software applications and data files. This procedure is called “creating a disk
image,” and the resulting backup archive is often called a disk/partition image.
Acronis True Image Server for Linux stores only those hard disk sectors that contain data (for
supported file systems). This reduces image size and speeds up image creation and restoration from
an image.
A partition image contains all its files and folders independently of their attributes (including system
files), a boot record and file system super block.
A disk image includes images of all disk partitions as well as the zero track with master boot record
(MBR).
By default, files in all Acronis True Image Server for Linux archives have a “.tib” extension.
It is important to note, that you can restore files and folders not only from file archives, but
from disk/partition images, too. To do so, mount the image (see
9.1 Mounting an image
or
11.3 Restoring files with trueimagemnt
), or start the image restoration and select Restore
specified files or folders.
3.2 Full, incremental and differential backups
Acronis True Image Server for Linux can create full, incremental and differential backups.
A full backup contains all data at the moment of backup creation. It forms a base for further
incremental or differential backup or is used as a standalone archive. A full backup has the
shortest restore time as compared to incremental or differential ones.
An incremental backup file only contains data changed since the last full or incremental
backup creation. Therefore, it is smaller and takes less time to create. But as it doesn’t
contain all data, all the previous incremental backups and the initial full backup are required
for restoration.
Unlike incremental backup, when every backup procedure creates the next file in a “chain,”
a differential backup creates an independent file, containing all changes against the initial
General information and proprietary Acronis technologies
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
13
full archive. Generally, a differential backup will be restored faster than an incremental one,
as it does not have to process through a long chain of previous backups.
A standalone full backup may be an optimal solution if you often roll back the system to the
initial state (like in a gaming club or Internet café, to undo changes, made by the guests). In
this case, you need not to re-create the initial full image, so the backup time is not crucial,
and the restore time will be minimal.
Alternatively, if you are interested in saving only the last data state to be able to restore it in
case of system failure, consider the differential backup. It is particularly effective if your data
changes tend to be little as compared to the full data volume.
The same is true for incremental backup. In addition, it is most useful when you need
frequent backups and possibility to roll back to any of stored states. Having created a full
backup once, if you then create an incremental backup each day of a month, you will get
the same result as if you created full backups every day. However, the cost in time and disk
space (or removable media usage) will be as little as one tenth as much.
It is important to note that the above arguments are nothing but examples for your
information. Feel free to make up your own backup policy in accordance with your specific
tasks and conditions. Acronis True Image Server for Linux is flexible enough to meet any
real-life demands.
An incremental or differential backup created after a disk is defragmented might be considerably larger
than usual. This is because the defragmentation program changes file locations on disk and the
backups reflect these changes. Therefore, it is recommended that you re-create a full backup after disk
defragmentation.
3.3 Acronis Secure Zone
The Acronis Secure Zone is a special partition for storing archives on the computer system
itself. In the Acronis True Image Server for Linux Wizards’ windows the zone is listed along
with all partitions available for storing archives. Acronis Secure Zone is necessary for using
Acronis Startup Recovery Manager (see below).
Acronis Secure Zone helps the user to get rid of outdated backups. If there is not enough
space for the new archive, older archives will be deleted to create space.
Acronis True Image Server for Linux uses the following scheme to clean up Acronis Secure
Zone:
If there is not enough free space in the zone to create a backup, the program deletes
the oldest full backup with all subsequent incremental/differential backups.
If there is only one full backup (with subsequent incremental/differential backups) left
and a full backup is in progress, then the old full backup and incremental/differential
backups are deleted.
Otherwise, (only one full backup left, and an incremental/differential backup is in
progress) you will get a message about space error. In that case you will have to either
re-create the full backup or increase Acronis Secure Zone.
Thus, you can back up data automatically on a schedule (see
Chapter 7 Scheduling tasks
),
and not worry about zone overflow issues. However, if you keep long chains of incremental
General information and proprietary Acronis technologies
14
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
backups, it will be a good practice to periodically check the zone free space, indicated on the
second page of the Manage Acronis Secure Zone wizard.
How to create, resize or delete Acronis Secure Zone using this wizard, see in
Chapter 8
Managing Acronis Secure Zone.
3.4 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager
3.4.1
3.4.2
How it works
The Acronis Startup Recovery Manager enables starting Acronis True Image Server for Linux
without loading the operating system. With this feature, if the system won't load for some
reason, you can run Acronis True Image Server for Linux by itself to restore damaged
partitions. As opposed to booting from Acronis removable media, you will not need a
separate media to start Acronis True Image Server for Linux.
How to use
To be able to use Acronis Startup Recovery Manager at boot time, prepare as follows:
1. Install Acronis True Image Server for Linux.
2. Create Acronis Secure Zone on the server hard disk and activate Acronis Startup Recovery
Manager (see
8.1 Creating Acronis Secure Zone
).
When Acronis Startup Recovery Manager is activated, it overwrites the master boot record (MBR) with
its own boot code. If you have any third-party boot managers installed, you will have to reactivate
them after activating the Startup Recovery Manager. For Linux loaders (e.g. LiLo and GRUB), you
might consider installing them to a Linux root (or boot) partition boot record instead of MBR before
activating Acronis Startup Recovery Manager.
If failure occurs, turn on the computer and press F11 when you see the "Press F11 for
Acronis Startup Recovery Manager" message. This will run a standalone version of Acronis
True Image Server for Linux that only slightly differs from the complete version. For
information on restoring damaged partitions, see
Chapter 6 Restoring the backup data under
X Window System
.
After Acronis Startup Recovery Manager was initially activated, you can deactivate it or
activate again at any time. See details in
8.1.1 Activating and deactivating Acronis Startup
Recovery Manager
.
3.5 Working from a rescue CD
In some situations (e.g. if the operating system fails to boot, or when cloning a mounted
disk), you might have to work with Acronis True Image Server for Linux without loading the
OS. In those cases, you can use the Acronis rescue CD. It is highly recommended that you
create it as described in
Chapter 10 Creating bootable media
.
General information and proprietary Acronis technologies
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
15
3.6 Working from a remote terminal
You can control the image creation or restoration process remotely from any computer in
the local network or Internet, operating under Windows, Mac OS or any UNIX clone.
To act as a remote terminal, this computer must have X Server software installed. Start the
X Server and log on to the server using SSH-enabled software. For example, Putty is one of
the most popular Windows programs of that type.
Then you can invoke Acronis True Image Server for Linux GUI with the trueimage
command or use trueimagecmd command line tool.
3.7 Backing up software and hardware RAID arrays
Acronis True Image Server for Linux supports software and hardware RAID arrays as if these
were simple single hard drives. However, as such arrays have a structure different from
typical hard disks, there are peculiarities affecting the way data is stored.
Software RAID arrays under Linux OS combine several hard disks partitions and make
solid block devices (/dev/md0, ... /dev/md31), information of which is stored in /etc/raidtab
or in dedicated areas of that partitions. Acronis True Image Server for Linux enables you to
create images of active (mounted) software arrays similar to typical hard disk images.
Partitions that are part of software arrays are listed alongside other available partitions as if they had a
corrupted file system or without a file system at all. There’s no sense in creating images of such
partitions when a software array is mounted, as it won’t be possible to restore them.
Parameters of software disk arrays are not stored in images, so they can only be restored to
a normal partition, or unallocated space, or previously configured array.
Operating from a rescue CD, Acronis True Image Server for Linux tries to access parameters
of a software disk array and configure it. However, if the necessary information is lost, the
array cannot be configured automatically. In this case, create a software array manually and
restart the restoration procedure.
Hardware RAID arrays under Linux combine several physical drives to create a single
partitionable disk (block device). The special file related to a hardware disk array is usually
located in /dev/ataraid. Acronis True Image Server for Linux enables you to create images of
hardware disk arrays similar to images of typical disks and partitions.
Physical drives that are part of hardware disk arrays are listed alongside other available drives as if they
had a bad partition table or no partition table at all. There’s no sense in creating images of such drives,
as it won’t be possible to restore them.
3.8 Support for LVM volumes
When running in Linux environment with 2.6.x kernel, Acronis True Image Server for Linux
supports disks, managed by Logical Volume Manager (LVM). You can back up data of one or
more LVM volumes and restore it to a previously created LVM volume or MBR disk
(partition), likewise it is also possible to restore MBR volume data to an LVM volume. In each
case, the program stores and restores volume contents only. The type or other properties of
the target volume will not be changed.
General information and proprietary Acronis technologies
16
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
In rescue mode (when booted with Bootable Rescue media or using F11) Acronis True
Image Server for Linux cannot access LVM disks. This means that:
- an LVM volume image can be deployed on a MBR disk only
- to be able to recover data in rescue mode, you must keep its backup on a basic, network,
or removable disk.
A system, restored from an LVM volume image over an MBR disk, cannot boot because its kernel tries to
mount the root file system at the LVM volume. To boot the system, change the loader configuration and
/etc/fstab so that LVM is not used. Then reactivate your boot manager as described in section
6.3.11.
When restoring an LVM volume over an MBR partition, resizing of the partition is possible.
LVM volumes appear at the end of the list of hard disks available for backup. Hard disk
partitions included in LVM volumes are also shown in the list with None in the Type
column. If you select to back up such partitions, the program will image it sector-by-sector.
Normally it is not needed. To back up all available disks, specify all dynamic volumes plus
partitions not belonging to them.
The following is an example of a list of drives obtained with the --list command (GUI wizards
display a similar table). The system has three physical disks (1, 2, 3). Two dynamic volumes
4-1 and 4-2 are arranged across partitions 1-2 and 2-1. Hard drive 3 includes Acronis Secure
Zone which is not normally imaged.
Num Partition Flags Start Size Type
------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Disk 1:
1-1 hda1 (/boot) Pri,Act 63 208782 Ext3
1-2 hda2 Pri 208845 8177085 None
Disk 2:
2-1 hdb1 Pri,Act 63 8385867 None
Disk 3:
3-1 hdd1 Pri,Act 63 1219617 Ext3
3-2 Acronis Secure Zone Pri 1219680 2974608 FAT32
Dynamic Volumes:
4-1 VolGroup00-LogVol00 15269888 Ext3
4-2 VolGroup00-LogVol01 1048576 Linux Swap
To image dynamic volume 4-1, select partition 4-1.
To image all three physical drives, select partitions 1-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2.
If you select disk 2, partition 1-2 or 2-1, the program will create a sector-by-sector copy.
General information and proprietary Acronis technologies
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
17
3.9 Backing up to tape drive
Acronis True Image Server for Linux supports SCSI tape drives. It can store backups on the
tape and restore data from the tape, store large backups to multiple tapes, and append
incremental/differential changes to a tape with the existing archives.
If a SCSI tape drive is connected to the server, the list of devices available for backup
storage will be extended with a name corresponding to the drive type.
Backup and restore on the tape proceed in the same way as with other devices, with the
following exceptions.
1. A full backup can be stored on an empty tape only. If you use tape that already contains
data, its contents will be overwritten.
2. In case you want to keep more than one archive on the tape, for example, back up two
disks separately, choose incremental backup mode when creating initial full backup for the
second disk. In other situations, incremental backup is used for appending changes to the
previously created archive.
3. You do not have to provide filenames for backups.
You might experience short pauses that are required to rewind the tape.
Low-quality or old tape, as well as dirt on the magnetic head, might lead to pauses that can last up to
several minutes.
Main program interface under X Window System
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
Chapter 4. Main program interface under X
Window System
Acronis True Image Server for Linux features a user-friendly interface under X Window
System.
The main program window contains the menu, the toolbar, the Active Tasks pane and the
main area. The main area contains operation icons.
Most of the operations are represented two or even three times in different window areas,
providing several ways to select them for more convenience. For example, you can start the
necessary operation or tool by clicking its icon in the main area or by selecting the same
item from the Operations or Tools menu.
The main window contains two groups of icons.
The Task group contains the following operations:
Backup – create a backup archive
Recovery – restore data from a previously created archive
Clone Disk – transfer the OS, applications and data from the old disk to the new one
Add New Disk – add a new disk for data storage leaving the OS and applications on
the old one.
The Tools group contains the following items:
Mount image – mounts a partition image
Unmount image – unmounts a partition image
Main program interface under X Window System
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
19
Manage Acronis Secure Zone – used to create, delete and resize a special partition
for storing archives (Acronis Secure Zone)
Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager – activates the boot restoration
manager (F11 key)
Validate Backup Archive – runs the archive integrity checking procedure.
Program menu
The menu contains the following submenus: Operations, View, Tools, Help.
The Operations menu contains a list of the available operations, including scheduling tasks.
The View menu contains items for managing the program window look:
Toolbars – contains commands that control toolbar icons
Common Task Bar – enables/disables the sidebar
Status Bar – enables/disables the status bar
Active tasks – enables/disables the Active Tasks pane at the bottom of the main area.
The Tools menu contains the following items:
Manage Acronis Secure Zone – used to create, delete and resize a special partition
for storing archives (Acronis Secure Zone)
Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager – activates the boot restoration
manager (F11 key)
Validate Backup Archive – runs the archive integrity checking procedure.
Show Log – opens the Log Viewer window
Options – opens a window for editing default backup/restore options, setting text
appearance (fonts), configuring email/Winpopup notifications etc.
The Help menu is used to invoke help and obtain information about Acronis True Image
Server for Linux.
Active Tasks pane
The Active Tasks pane displays the scheduled and currently-being-executed tasks. It
features its own toolbar. You can customize this toolbar view by right-clicking on it and
selecting the desired options.
Status bar
At the bottom of the main window, there is a status bar, indicating Acronis True Image
Server for Linux operation progress and results. If you double-click on the operation results,
you will see the logs window.
Main program interface under X Window System
20
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2007
Disk and partition information
In all disk configurations provided by wizards, you will be able to change the way they are
represented.
To the right, there are three icons: Arrange Icons by…, Choose details and Properties
(the last duplicated in the context menu invoked by a right-click on the object).
To enable sorting by selected column, click its header (click again to reverse) or click
Arrange Icons by … and select the sorting parameter.
To select columns to display, right-click on column headers or click Choose details and
check the columns that will be displayed.
Click Properties to invoke the properties window of the selected partition or disk.
This window has two panels. The left contains the properties tree, while the right describes
the property selected. Disk information includes its physical parameters (connection, type,
capacity, etc.). Partition information includes both physical (sectors, location on disk, etc.)
and logical parameters (file system, free space, etc.).
You can resize columns by dragging their borders with a mouse.
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ACRONIS True Image Server 9.1 Server for Linux User manual

Category
Software
Type
User manual

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